In New Jersey, the Motor Vehicle Commission notes that if you are not a U.S. citizen and have recently moved to New Jersey, you must have temporary visa status and fit into one of the a certain categories to apply for a New Jersey driver license. Of the categories they list the two following may apply to your situation:

• Students and their families
• Students and their families with an (F) visa must show INS Form I-20, student identification cards or certification on school letterhead indicating status and their I-94 passport

You may want to look at the full list that the NJ MVC has listed on their website.

The MVC states that you may use your country's driver license as proof of driving experience if you have an International Driver License issued by your country or if your country is a member of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and your license is translated into English by a consulate or an MVC approved translator. The Russian Federation is part of the United Nations Convention so you should be able to drive using your valid driver's license from Russia until you acquire a US (New Jersey) license.

The Motor Vehicle Commission notes that for a person with a foreign license to get a driver's license in NJ that one must provide proof by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, authorizing your presence in the country. In order to obtain the permit, you will need to bring your foreign license and present the documents required to pass the 6 point ID Verification.

You must also provide proof by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, authorizing your presence in the country and confirming validity of your foreign license. If you cannot show proof of driving experience you will be subject to the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program requirements. After you get the permit, visit any Driver Testing Center to take a vision test, knowledge test and possibly a road test if required. You are not required to surrender your foreign license when MVC issues your New Jersey driver license.

So it appears that the NJ MVC will determine from your proof of driving experience whether you will need to go through the GDL program and what tests you will need to take. If you can show proof of your driving experience in Russian and it is up to the standards of the NJ MVC then you have to see if they will still require you to take the knowledge and road test.

If you contact the NJ MVC they should be able to give you information how soon they would suggest that you get a NJ driver's license. If you plan on insuring a car then most insurance providers will require you to get a State license within 30 days of starting your car insurance policy.